Clemson University and the University of Alabama met in the previous two finals. Each game was a classic thriller. Alabama edged Clemson in Arizona in 2016. Clemson avenged that narrow loss in Tampa in January.

The entertaining series stands at a draw. The idea of it remaining unresolved is unsettling. We need a trilogy.

Before the season opened, few suspected a third meeting would be possible. Many of the main characters from the first two installments did not return to the cast this season. Through the previous 20 years, only one team, Florida State, played in three consecutive national championship games.

The conventional narrative favored variety. The odds appeared stacked against a third encounter. Five weeks into the season, that narrative has altered. The odds have shifted. The path to the Playoff has widened.

Clemson reloaded. The defense has felt no reduction. The running back committee has compensated for the departure of Wayne Gallman. Quarterback Kelly Bryant replaced legendary Deshaun Watson and has induced an offensive modification to augment the rushing attack.

Alabama replenished. Quarterback Jalen Hurts returned with stronger command of the offense. The defense is just as deep, just as fast and just as salty.

Clemson defeated three ranked teams through its first five games. The Tigers stifled Auburn at home. They cruised at Louisville. On Saturday night, they overwhelmed Virginia Tech 31-17 in Blacksburg.

Meanwhile in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest elevated from the Atlantic Division cellar and nearly knocked off Florida State, who lost to Alabama, lost its starting quarterback and then fell out of the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2011.

Nevertheless, Wake is not equipped to dethrone Clemson when it visits Death Valley next week. After that, Clemson must face Syracuse, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Florida State, The Citadel and South Carolina. Much can change between now and Thanksgiving, but Clemson is expected to enjoy a significant advantage in each of those games.

The Tigers may not possess the same star power, but the talent is evident and the schemes are more malleable. Clemson can slug it out in the trenches or air it out on the perimeter.

The Tigers were expected to take a step back. Apparently, few expected so many young players to step up.

Conversely, Alabama was expected to return to the Playoff. The Crimson Tide remains unrivaled in the Southeastern Conference. It outscored its first two SEC opponents, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, by a combined score of 125-3.

Auburn and Georgia remain challenges, but neither is quite ready to match Alabama blow for blow like Clemson. Louisiana State's fall from grace continued Saturday night as it lost at home to Troy. No one else in the SEC is prepared to unseat the Tide.

The national championship game will be held in Atlanta in January. That dazzling new stadium is neutral ground for Clemson and Alabama, a hassle-free drive from both campuses. There is no better place to settle their score, to cap this savory series.

There are several teams who intend to give college football a fresh look. Penn State wants to be that new item on the Playoff menu. Oklahoma and Ohio State want to take an alternate route to the end of their seasons.

Pittsburgh showed Clemson last season that paper predictions are worthless after kickoff. While trumpeting the quality of the ACC, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has asserted that anyone remaining on the Tigers’ schedule is capable of beating them. Alabama coach Nick Saban has been equally adamant about the fallacy of foregone conclusions.

Do not book the hotel rooms just yet, but you can at least check the prices.

A third showdown is worth the wonder. We simply need Clemson and Alabama to live up to our recalculated projections and sweep through the remainder of the season.